![Director](https://scholarmedia.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Director-696x501.jpg)
- They believe that by strategically positioning themselves in key African markets and fostering collaboration with industry leaders, they are well-positioned to drive growth and deliver innovative solutions to partners across Africa.
- Africa hosts three out of nine of their major offices, with South Africa and Nigeria being the other two hubs.
- They are also coming up with connectivity solutions that can withstand load-shedding.
On June 27, 2023, Avanti Communications reopened its doors to an even better office seven years after they first launched their Nairobi hub.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Debbie Mavis, Avanti’s Group HR Director, affirmed that the state-of-the-art 276 M² office in Nairobi, Kenya, will be the home of all their East African operations.
In a press release, the company reiterated that the investment to modernize Avanti’s office in Nairobi reinforces its recognition of Africa’s immense potential and commitment to the continent.
They believe that by strategically positioning themselves in key African markets and fostering collaboration with industry leaders, they are well-positioned to drive growth and deliver innovative solutions to partners across Africa.
A blooming revenue giant
Avanti Communications is a UK-headquartered satellite operator which sells wholesale satellite broadband and satellite connectivity services to Internet Service Providers, Mobile Network Operators, Enterprises, Governments and other satellite operators.
It has been offering high-throughput Ka-band satellite connectivity around the globe, with one of its major perks being its ability to provide connectivity to the most remote and rural areas.
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Africa hosts three out of nine of their major offices, with South Africa and Nigeria being the other two hubs.
Ms. Mavis confirmed that the company hopes to have most of its operations based in Africa within the next three years.
She disclosed that the company’s investments in space satellites total more than $1.2 billion, out of which almost $800 million are in the satellites that serve Africa.
Their connectivity, she said, has seen the connection of more than 700 villages already.
Speaking during an interview, Ms. Mavis disclosed that governments, border patrol, peacekeeping troops, and Internet Service Providers are some of Avanti‘s primary revenue-generating clients.
The revenue, Mavis explained, then pays for the educational projects they are running across East Africa.
A new lease of life
The move to reopen their offices, Mavis believes, will breathe new life into their existing educational projects and have a huge economic impact on the locals as well.
“Our purpose is to have local people doing the work. Nobody knows the schools and locations better than the Kenyans at the local level.
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We also partner with a lot of companies in Kenya; the more we grow, the more there is an economic overflow. Most of the tech that we use is Kenyan-bought,” Ms. Mavis said.
In 2014, Avanti partnered with the UK government to start iMlango, an education initiative in rural Kenyan counties.
The project has since seen the installation of satellite connections to 245 schools across Makueni, Kilifi, Uasin Gishu, and Kajiado.
“In the schools we connect, we equip 20-50 computers in each computer lab, VSAT equipment, and solar panels to ensure uninterrupted connectivity.
We also ensure the teachers are well-equipped to use the computers and teach the students. Each school also gets a projector so the teachers can beam up a lesson to more than 200 students into a hall,” Mavis said.
Mavis explained that their goal is to get more schools connected.
That way, the computer labs can help promote computer literacy in adults as well since they can learn at night when the students leave school for home.
Tom Whitehill leads the Education International Development team in the company.
He narrated how the 245 schools got chosen for the pilot initiative.
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“The counties were selected by the Ministry of Education in Kenya. The schools were then chosen by a third party. They are spread all the way across the counties,” he said, clarifying that the schools were chosen on a need basis.
Across the continent
In Uganda, Avanti’s major impact is felt in refugee camps where they work with Social Innovation Academy (SINA) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide connectivity to refugees.
According to Mavis, they find a small center within the camp and install the VSAT equipment and donate some computers that empower refugees in their job search, accessing immigration services, and staying connected with the world.
“We are not giving education right now, but we are partnering with UNHCR and SINA to work on something to that effect. Although there are organizations offering education in such camps, we are not yet in that capacity,” Mavis explained.
However, Mavis confirms that rolling out the Kenyan iMlango project into refugee camps is something she would love to do.
Mavis highlighted their work in South Africa, saying that Avanti works with carrier companies such as Vodacom and MTN to provide reliable connections in remote areas.
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They are also coming up with connectivity solutions that can withstand load-shedding.
“Sometimes in South Africa, areas can go without electricity for 8-12 hours. Most businesses lose plenty of revenue when there is no electricity.
We are working on connectivity that does not require electricity to run. When load-shedding happens, ATMs close down, and people cannot access their money.
We are working with banks to give them solar-powered Wi-Fi connection,” Mavis affirmed.
Mavis said that they also offer disaster recovery support in DRC, where they can get satellites connected within hours of the disaster and reconnect people in disaster and conflict zones.
Bigger and better
According to Mavis, the previous office was a bit old school and did not promote collaboration within the workplace. It was not very accommodating to customers either, hence the need for remodeling.
“We needed a bigger office that would allow growth and enable us to bring more employees and, in turn, more clients on board.”
The new office, she said, offers much more promise for both employees and other stakeholders in the industry.
Mavis explained that Avanti is a growing company with over 200 employees, with 30% of its staff based in Africa.
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The Kenyan workforce, she revealed, consists of 14 people, which is 5%of their entire workforce, and they are by no means finished growing.”